Horton gets big check

The NFL has finalized its performance-based pay distribution for the 2008 season and only two players received a bigger check than Redskins safety Chris Horton.

Horton earned $342,197 in PBP. Only San Diego guard Jeromey Clary ($405,859) and Arizona center Lyle Sendlein ($348,134).

Horton was one of nine Redskins to earn at least $100,000 in PBP.

The PBP program was established in 2002 and is a fund from NFL revenues to supplement salaries of players whose playing time in that season is disproportionate to their compensation. Basically, it allows players like Horton – who wasn’t expected to be a starter – a chance to earn money if he gets an in-season promotion. Horton became a starter in Week 4 and finished with 81 tackles. He made less than $400,000 during the season.

The PBP doesn’t count against a team’s salary cap. Every player who participated in at least one snap receives PBP, from Horton all the way down to G Devin Clark ($1,654). The established veterans don’t receive much in PBP because they’re making market value – DT Cornelius Griffin, for example, made only $12,036 in PBP.

The $100,000-plus club for the Redskins: Horton, LB H.B. Blades ($206,725), OT Stephon Heyer ($166,350), DT Lorenzo Alexander ($151,914), DT Kedric Golston ($143,420), DT Anthony Montgomery ($138,351), FS Kareem Moore ($131,936), DE Demetric Evans ($115,198) and DE Chris Wilson ($103,166).

I would love to see how these figures are compiled. Moore made five tackles all season I had Wilson on the field for fewer than 120 snaps all year.

-- Ryan O’Halloran